The Conservatory faculty is a source of pride, as we offer an exceptional opportunity to interact and learn from outstanding teachers who are professional musicians and teach at the university level, as well as many with career experience as public school and individual instructors. Their experience in teaching and performing combines for outstanding mentoring, role modeling, referrals and guidance for our students.

Kevin Jackson, Cello, is a native of Denver, Colorado but a product of Tulsa Public Schools' music education. He started playing cello at the age of 12 after hearing a performance of the Cleveland Junior High School string orchestra. At the age of 14, Mr. Jackson decided that he would become an educator of music because of the passion his music teachers instilled in him. Mr. Jackson has taught in many music programs coordinated by Tulsa Public Schools, Amadeus Piano Festival, at the Community Arts School of Tulsa, Barthelmes and Tulsa Youth Symphony Summer String Institute. Upon graduation in 1996 from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, a teaching position awaited him in Tulsa Public Schools. He currently serves as the Instrumental Music Director for Gilcrease Intermediate School. Mr. Jackson has served on the Barthelmes Conservatory faculty since 2002 and joined the Barthelmes Trio, the Conservatory's ensemble-in-residence, in the fall of 2004.

Dana F. Maher, Piano, received her Bachelor of Arts (1991) and Master of Music (1996) degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Tulsa Henry Kendall College of Music where she studied primarily with Dr. Roger Price. During the summer of 1990 she attended the Johannesen International School of the Arts in Victoria, B.C. where she studied primarily with Joseph Bloch. Mrs. Maher is a member of the Music Teacher's National Association, the Oklahoma Music Teacher's Association, and the Tulsa Accredited Music Teacher's Association and holds MTNA National Certification in Piano and Theory. Dana Maher founded the Amadeus Piano Festival in 1995 and served as Festival Artistic Director from 1995 to 2006; she is currently a member of the piano faculty at the University of Tulsa School of Music and is principal pianist for the Signature Symphony. Mrs. Maher became a faculty member of the Barthelmes Conservatory in Summer of 2003 and joined the Barthelmes Trio, the Conservatory's ensemble-in-residence, in the fall of 2004.

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Terry Pollak, Violin and Viola, received his Bachelor of Music degree in violin with a minor in music theory from North Texas State University and his Master of Music degree in violin from Southern Methodist University. He later studied viola at The University of Oklahoma while earning his Teacher Certification. He is currently a violist with the Signature Symphony and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Tulsa he was a violist for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and has been a violinist with several orchestras including the Fort Worth Symphony and the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida. Terry Pollak became a faculty member of the Barthelmes Conservatory in Fall of 2003 and joined the Barthelmes Trio, the Conservatory's ensemble-in-residence, in the fall of 2004.

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A native of Gary, Indiana, Dr. Teresa Reed, Music Theory and Music Literature, received her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, her master’s degree from Tulsa University, and her Ph.D. in Music Theory from Indiana University. She has taught Music Theory and Ear Training since 1988 and has been a member of the Tulsa University School of Music Faculty since 1994. Dr. Reed became a faculty member of the Barthelmes Conservatory in 2002. As a member of the panel of expert readers for the Music Theory Subject Test of the Graduate Record Exam, and as a Faculty Consultant for the Advanced Placement Exam in Music Theory, Dr. Reed has worked alongside many of the top names in the field. Dr. Reed’s other area of specialization is African American Music. She has given numerous local, national, and international talks on the subject and has addressed genres ranging from the blues to Hip Hop.

Connie DeFazio, Cello, is from Tulsa and attended the University of Tulsa , Congress of Strings at USC, Sewanee Summer Music Center at the University of the South, and Taos School of Music in Taos , New Mexico . She has played with the Tulsa Philharmonic, Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Theater Orchestra and Signature Symphony as well as being a free-lance musician for over thirty years in northeast Oklahoma and Arkansas. She is the Barthelmes Conservatory's Satellite Talent Development Program Coordinator. Ms. DedFazio currently teaches in the following Tulsa Public Schools: Chouteau, Kendall-Whittier, Remington, Eugene Field, and KIPP, through the Barthelmes Conservatory Satellite String Programs. She has also taught in the Conservatory Summer Programs. Connie DeFazio has been involved with the Barthelmes Conservatory through teaching and being on the consulting committee since 2000.

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Sophia Munoz, Piano, seventeen year old native Tulsan. Sophia Munoz began studying piano at age four. She is laureate of numerous competitions including the Chancellor’s Prize at the 2007 Starr Young Artist Competition and the bronze medal at the 2007 US ASU Schimmel International Competition, as well as second prize in the Russische Schule’s People’s Choice Concert and Freiburg, Germany. Ms. Munoz had her orchestral debut with the Plano Symphony Orchestra under the baton on Hector Guzman in May of 2005. Currently a student of Professor Jura Margulis of the University of Arkansas, she has participated in masterclasses with renowned teachers and artists such as Vitaly Margulis, Luis de Moura Castro, Bryce Morrison, Robert Weirich, Jose Feghali, Alan Chow, Paul Badura-Skoda, Arnulf v. Arnim, and Andrzej Jasinski. Sophia has performed in Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, Utah, Germany, and Austria. Since 2007, she has served as a junior faculty member at the Barthelmes Conservatory.

James Ruggles, Violin, earned his Masters Degree in Music from Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, and his Bachelor’s in Music Performance Degree from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK.  His teachers include Peter Marsh, Maurice Sklar, and Marc Gottlieb.  He received full scholarships to International Congress of Strings at SMU, Dallas, TX and a full scholarship to the Congress of Strings at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO.  He has been a member of the Signature Symphony Orchestra and the Ft. Smith Symphony where he was Co-Concertmaster for the 1996-97 seasons.  James started teaching violin his first summer out of high school and has continued to teach ever since. His styles include Classical, Gypsy, Jazz (Swing), Scottish/Irish, Bluegrass, Broadway show tunes and Pop standards.  James has started a chamber music society entitled Chamber Music Concerts of Tulsa, under the auspices of his non-profit corporation, Concerts for Worthy Causes, Inc. Mr. Ruggles joined the Barthelmes Conservatory faculty in Fall of 2006.

Christina Hartmeyer, Piano & Music Theory, joined the Barthelmes faculty in fall of 2006.  She completed her Master’s degree in Theory from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Her pedagogical experience includes private piano and undergraduate music theory and ear training. Ms. Hartmeyer completed her certification in Daclroze Eurhythmics from the Carnegie Mellon Dalcroze Training Center.  She is a member of the Dalcroze Society of America, Music Theory Midwest, and Sigma Alpha Iota.  Through her extensive experience as a piano soloist and accompanist, she has seen the vast impact of music and desires to continue to inspire others with the experience, knowledge, and appreciation of music.

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Christy Spadafore, Early Childhood Music and Voice, received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Vanderbilt University, and her Master of Science in Elementary Education from the City University of New York. She has also received certification in Orff methodology. In 2001 Ms. Spadafore was chosen for the New York City Teaching Fellowship, which led to a job organizing and teaching a music program for PS 70 in the Bronx, NY. Upon returning to her hometown of Tulsa, she taught general music in Tulsa Public Schools. Christy Spadafore teaches and also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Music Together, Barthelmes Conservatory Early Childhood Music Program. In July of 2007, Ms. Spadafore was awarded Music Together Ceritification Level I status,  having demonstrated outstanding achievement in teaching, musicianship, program philosophy, and parent education. In addition, she is a voicec instructor at the Barthelmes Conservatory Music Center. She has performed as both a back-up singer and solo artist, and has been a member of the Redeemer Church Choir in New York and the Coventry Chorale in Tulsa.

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Amanda Hardy, Cello and Early Childhood Music, began learning cello at the age of 10 through the Norman Public School system in Norman, Oklahoma. She holds Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music and a minor in Psychology studying cello under Diane Bucchianeri. Ms. Hardy has performed in productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream and Fiddler on the Roof. She has taught cello and violin in the Tulsa Public Schools at Walt Whitman Elementary, Eugene Field, Kendall Whittier, Remington and Choteau elementary schools through Barthelmes Conservatory's Satellite Strings Program. She teaches private lessons in cello and violin as well as an ensemble class at the conservatory. She is a registered Music Together teacher and teaches parent and child classes as well as preschool classes at Tulsa Public Schools.

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Teresa Mossburg, Early Childhood Music, graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1984 with a degree in music education, majoring in trumpet but also studying the piano and voice.  She has taught music for almost 20 years in various public and private school settings around the Tulsa area, her most recent position being at Undercroft Montessori School.  Teresa Mossburg joined the Barthelems Conservatory faculty in the Fall of 2007, as an Early Childhood Music Specialist. Ms. Mossburg is a registered Music Together instructor teaching both parent and child classes and preschool classes at Remington Elementary School.                                 

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JOSH MASSAD, World Percussion, has been teaching in Tulsa since 2001.  He began performing with musicians and dancers at a young age and has been vigorously developing his craft for over 15 years.  Mr. Massad has traveled and performed in Europe, Africa and Asia as well as in the Caribbean.  He has attended Master Classes at Princeton University, Oberlin Conservatory and throughout the country.  He has written and directed several stage performances and is a well recognized instructor within Tulsa schools.  He currently studies West African music with Mamady Keita of Guinea, and Indian Classical music with Zakir Hussain.  Mr. Massad joined the faculty of Barthelmes Conservatory in spring of 2005.

Cynthia Zeiler, Piano, is from Tulsa and has taught private piano for many years before joining Barthelmes Conservatory Fall 2007.  She began her formal study at age 4, later under the direction of Bess Jelks, one of the first women ever to be conferred a music degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  Mrs. Zeiler's other education includes TCC and University of Tulsa.  She began her musical career as a church musician at age 11, later competing in various local, state and national competitions. As an adult she has performed in a variety of venues, and strives to bring her love of music to each student.

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Sean Al-Jibouri, Guitar, is from Tulsa and attended the University of Tulsa. During his studies Mr. Al-Jibouri performed in all TU jazz ensembles. He has studied guitar with Jim Bates, Tom Richard, David John, Randy Wimer, and Michael Fowler. Mr. Al-Jibouri has performed in many different groups with various musical styles all over the United States coming back to his home town Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a member of the Tulsa jazz group Harmonious Monk. The band received the Legacy Tribute Award in the spring of 2007 from the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

He has taught private guitar lessons since 2002 in Tulsa and in Owasso. Mr. Al-Jibouri joined the Conservatory in the Fall of 2007.

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Kent Dennis, Piano and Violin, is a piano performance major at the University of Tulsa, studying under Dr. Roger Price. He began studying piano at the age of seven.  Kent began teaching at the Barthelmes Conservatory in 2007. He has played in a variety of settings, including an appearance as a soloist with the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra during high school, and serving as pianist and rehearsal accompanist for school and community musicals, most recently with Theatre Tulsa’s production of Clue.  He was the winner of the 2005 OMTA collegiate auditions.  He also plays violin, studying privately with Maureen O’Boyle.  Mr. Dennis is currently concertmaster of the TU Symphony, as well as a member of the Signature Symphony.  He has played in numerous pit orchestras for both musicals and church productions.  He enjoys chamber music as well, being a member of the university’s string quartet, and playing in piano trios as either violinist or pianist.

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Robin Hock Smith, Bass, is the Principal Bassist of the Signature Symphony and Assistant Principal Bassist of the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra.  She has also been a member of the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera Orchestra, and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra.  She has performed with the national tours of many Broadway musicals including Camelot, Hello Dolly, Peter Pan, Chicago, Titanic and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. She has also performed in Russia, Poland, and Austria.   

An educator with over 30 years of experience, she is currently instructor of bass at Oral Roberts University and has been with the Barthelmes Conservatory since 2007.  She holds a Master of Music in Bass Performance from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Tulsa and a Bachelor of Music in Bass Performance from Oral Roberts University.

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Allyson Eskitch, Piano, (B.M. University of Kansas, M.M. Peabody Institute) began her formal piano training at the age of seven.  She has been fortunate enough to study with distinguished teachers Alice Downs, Ann Schein and Sequeira Costa.  While at the University of Kansas, she also had the pleasure of playing for such noted pianists as Richard Goode, Abbey Simon, Claude Frank, and Awadigin Pratt.  Ms. Eskitch has participated in several chamber music festivals during her career, and has performed throughout the United States as both a soloist and collaborative artist.  Throughout her career, she has maintained an active piano studio and has been a teacher at the Barthelmes Conservatory since 2007.  Many of her students have received honors in various festivals and competitions, and several have continued their studies while majoring in music at college.  Ms. Esktich is currently finishing her Doctorate in piano performance at the University of Kansas.

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Carrie Cooper, Flute and Piccolo, has been teaching in the Tulsa area for fifteen years.  She graduated from BAHS and was a member of the Broken Arrow Pride.  At that time, Mrs. Cooper studied under Susan Klick, the principal flute of the Tulsa Philharmonic.  She went on to obtain a BA in Music from the University of Tulsa, during which time Mrs. Cooper studied under Leonard Garrison.  Mrs. Cooper joined the Barthelmes Conservatory faculty in 2006.

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Tom Richard, Guitar, was introduced to the guitar by his grandfather at the age of 8. In 1970, he was under contract with the Stax/Ardent label in Memphis, TN, recording original material and doing session work. In the San Francisco Bay area, he studied music theory and percussion at Chabot College and was a featured soloist with the orchestra and jazz ensembles. Tom studied at the Warren Nunes Jazz Guitar Conservatory and borrowed from Nunes’ teaching methods. Author of his own teaching materials, Mr. Richard has performed a master class at Tulsa University on the subject.

He has worked with jazz legends Eddie Harris and Richard ”Groove” Holmes. Tom has also played with some of Tulsa’s finest jazz musicians such as John Rigney, Tommy Lokey, George Dennie and Jeff Shadley. Joining the Barthelmes Conservatory in 2008,  Mr. Richard's teaching and playing focus has been on some of the more pure aspects of jazz, jazz theory, Spanish, flamenco and classical guitar.

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Matthew Hayes, Guitar, was born in Tulsa, OK. Mr. Hayes took up music at an early age and has continued with it ever since. Mr. Hayes studied at the New School University in New York City under Reggie Workman. He has traveled the world playing music and resides in Tulsa once again. He has played for or with such notables as Jim Black, Peter Zak, Daniel Carter, Brian Haas, Josh Raymer, Dylan Aycock, and The Green Quartet. Hayes is currently an Organum Records artist. Mr. Hayes joined the Barthelmes Conservatory in 2008 as a teacher the Satellite Guitar Programs at Remington Elementary and Eugene Field Elementary schools.

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Sheri Neubauer, Violin, received a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a Masters of Music in Performance from West Texas A&M. She pursued post-graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York where she studied with Glen Dicterow, Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.  While in New York, Sheri played in the New Music Ensemble of New York and was Principal Second Violin in the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra.

Sheri has appeared as soloist with such orchestras as the National Repertory Orchestra, Randel Chamber Orchestra, and Amarillo Symphony. She has played with the Fort Worth Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Albuquerque Symphony and others. Sheri is a member of the Prima String Quartet and the Council Oak Trio in Tulsa and is Concertmaster of Light Opera of Oklahoma and is Principal Second of the Tulsa Opera Orchestra. Sheri has been a member of the Barthelmes Conservatory since 2007.

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Michael Nicholson, Violin, is a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts and went on to further studies in both San Francisco and New York City.  He returns to Tulsa from Los Angeles where he performed all around Southern California with ensembles such as the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra.  As a recording artist, he has worked for Sony, Fox, Disney and Capitol Records studios.  Mr. Nicholson has performed at many festivals, including Chamber Music Amarillo, Eastern Music Festival, Quartz Mountain, and the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Currently, Michael is playing with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and is happy to have been a member of the Barthelmes Conservatory faculty since 2007.

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Diane Bucchianeri, Cello, is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. She holds B.M. and M.M. Degrees in Cello Performance. She is currently Assistant Professor of Cello and Coordinator of the String Department at the University of Tulsa and has been a member of the Barthelmes Conservatory faculty since 2007. Ms. Bucchianeri is a member of Trio Tulsa the chamber ensemble in residence at the University of Tulsa. As a chamber musician, Ms. Bucchianeri has concertized in the United States, the Czech Republic, France, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Columbia. As an orchestral musician she has been Principal Cello of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional in Costa Rica and the Orchestre Regional d’ Auvergne in France, Associate Principal Cello of the Tulsa Philharmonic, as well as a member of the Charlotte Symphony and the Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México.

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Arthur Thompson, World Percussion, a Tulsa native, acquired a passion for Music and the Arts at a very young age through his musical parents. He received his education at the University of Tulsa, majoring in Music, specializing in Percussion. He has performed drums with many notable musicians such as Wayman Tisdale and Tarralyn Ramsey. Traveling with his band Monkey Meet, they served as the opening act for several prominent artists such as Smokey Robinson, Was Not Was, David Linley, and Fishbone, just to name a few. Mr. Thompson also serves as the Minister of Music for Dove Christian Fellowship. Mr. Thompson joined the Barthelmes Conservatory in 2007.

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Anne Antonelli, Voice, a Texas native, began singing at the age of 5 and began studying voice at the age of 10. Anne has attended the University of North Texas and is currently studying voice at the University of Tulsa where she will graduate in December 2008 with her Bachelor of Arts degree with a vocal performance emphasis. Ms. Antonelli is currently in her fourth season as a member of Tulsa Opera. Anne has participated in Master Classes with Laura Pfortmiller and Barbara Cook. She has participated in several university, state, and regional competitions along with participating in select regional choirs. Ms. Antonellie has been studying vocal pedagogy and voice under Dr. Kim Childs at the University of Tulsa and will be pursuing the study of conducting as well.